Written question asked by Lord Willis of Knaresborough (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 14 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 19 October 2004. It was answered by David Miliband (Labour) on Tuesday, 19 October 2004 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Dept for Education and Skills

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools were without a permanent head teacher for any period in the past 12 months.

Answer: Mr. Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools were without a permanent head teacher for any period in the past 12 months. [192119] Mr. Miliband: Teacher vacancy information is collected annually and gives the position on the census date in January of each year. In January 2004 there were 440 vacant or temporary filled head teacher posts in nursery and primary schools in England and 80 in secondary schools. Posts are regarded as vacant or temporarily filled, irrespective of whether the post had been advertised or an appointment made but not taken up, where: there is no incumbent who was expected to return; the post is either not covered or is being filled on a temporary basis by a teacher with no contract or a contract of less than a year.

Secondary information